Jesuit Retreat House - Malaybalay

---

IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY

The Jesuit Retreat House in Malaybalay City (JRH-M) is an apostolic institution owned and managed by the Malaybalay Jesuit Retreat House, Inc., under the guidance of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus, whose mission is to promote the work of evangelization entrusted by the Lord to the Catholic Church in the Philippines, specifically through the promotion of the Ignatian Spirituality and the Retreat Apostolate. It serves primarily as the formation center of the Bukidnon Mission District.

HISTORY

This house was established in 1982 as the Retreat Center for the Diocese of Malaybalay by the late Bishop Francisco Claver, S.J., D.D. Headed by then Fr. Honesto Pacaña, SJ (now Bishop Emeritus), this retreat center provided the spiritual nourishment for the faithful in the diocese. In 1992, then Bishop Gaudencio Rosales, D.D., the second bishop of Malaybalay (now Cardinal-Archbishop Emeritus of Manila and Primate-Emeritus of the Philippines) turned over this place to the Society of Jesus as one of its permanent ministries here in Bukidnon. Under the leadership of the late Fr. Joseph Raviolo, SJ, this house was renamed Jesuit Retreat House and has remained as such until the present. For over three decades, this house has witnessed countless life-decisions made, untold lives transformed and offered, and many relationships deepened or restored,

THE JRH FARM

The JRH operates a farm to reduce its food costs. The pandemic, however, has curtailed retreat activities. Its personnel now have to work on skeletal basis at reduced take home pay. Presently they are allowed to augment their food necessities by sharing in the farm output. The procurement of  farm inputs is the JRH's major cost of farm operations. Thus it can benefit from donations of farm inputs to maintain its profitability. 

HOUSE OF PRAYER

It is a house of prayer that aims to serve individuals and groups who come for days of prayer and reflection, to seek the Lord in solitude and silence, to dispose themselves for conversion and renewal, primarily through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in its various forms and adaptations.  The spacious and rolling garden has a grotto and stations of the cross for those who wish to pray while appreciating the beauty of nature. 

CHAPELS

The Jesuit Retreat House has three chapels which those on retreat and recollection can use during their stay. The biggest one is Saint Ignatius Chapel located just outside the main building and can accommodate a hundred people or more. Our Lady’s Chapel in the north wing is newly renovated and can cater to around 60 people. The smallest chapel located in the south wing is the St. Joseph’s oratory which can fit around 16 people. 

CONFERENCE ROOMS

There are two available conference rooms at the Retreat House. St. Peter Fabre conference room located at the north wing can accommodate around 50 people while the Manresa conference room located at the South wing can hold a maximum of around 80 people. The Pavilion which used to serve around 60 people and is located at the lower garden near the creek is still unusable and is due for repair when the funds are available. 

ROOMS AND DORM ACCOMMODATIONS

Practical, modest and clean. These are the words that best describe the rooms that are found in both wings (north and south) of the main building of JRH and the adjacent building called “the apartment”. There are rooms with its own toilet and bath but majority would share a common comfort room / water closet. There are single and double occupancy rooms as well as dorm type accommodation.